Formalization of the Functional Analysis Methodology to Improve Npp I&C
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FORMALIZATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE NPP I&C SYSTEM DESIGN PROCESS Alexey Chernyaev and Alexey Anokhin JSC “Rusatom Automated Control Systems” 25, Ferganskaya street, Moscow, Russia, 109507 [email protected]; [email protected] ABSTRACT Functional analysis is a universal methodology, which is able to support NPP and I&C design process. The paper proposes an approach to combining the functional analysis process and I&C design process into a single I&C functional design process. Operation of a system is considered as a set of functions providing not only the achievement of goal, but also keeping material and energy balances. A notation for graphical representation of semantic network (hierarchy of functions) describing a system is suggested. This network includes four levels, namely functional goals, abstract functions level, process functions level, and equipment level. The elements of the hierarchy are connected by three kinds of relationships, namely: parent-child, main-support, and cause-consequence. Then the semantic network (hierarchy) of functions is converted into a functional network which looks as a directed graph. This graph is used for development of control algorithm and for building of instrumentation and control functions hierarchy. Farther analysis of process functions reveals a set of criteria indicating real-time status and effectiveness of functions. The criteria are used for allocation of instruments and actuators. The process of functional analysis and design is illustrated in application to a simple heat generation system. Key Words: Functional Analysis, Hierarchy of Functions, Functional Network, I&C Design 1 INTRODUCTION Functional analysis is an established methodology which allows performing the system design of a complex process facility. In accordance with IEC 61839 the functional analysis is a starting point of NPP I&C system design process. The main task of functional analysis is to identify control functions and allocate them between human and automation. In order to accomplish identification of functions the standard recommends to formulate main functional goals of NPP and to break them into hierarchy of functions which ensure fulfillment of these goals. The lowest level of this hierarchy is constituted by control functions which should be assigned to human or automation. The standard mentions three types of function when describing the procedure of identification of functions, namely: goals (sub-goals), plant functions and control functions. A control function is defined as a set of control actions performed by human or machines for the accomplishment of a functional goal including the related information acquisition and processing. The other terms (including a plant function) are not defined clearly in the standard, however there are two remarks clarifying their meaning: 1) the terms “goal” and “function” are interchangeable, 2) higher levels of the hierarchy reflect a plant design concept and are better expressed in terms of goals while at lower levels it is more appropriate to refer to a function as an activity performed by a human or automated system. In accordance with IEC 61513 I&C functions and functional requirements identified during functional analysis constitute a basis for designing I&C architecture. Thus it can be affirmed that functional analysis is a universal methodology ensuring implementation of systematic (functional) approach when designing of an NPP and its components, including I&C and control rooms. Firstly, the NPIC&HMIT 2017, San Francisco, CA, June 11-15, 2017 1058 functional analysis allows making sure that the NPP design has taken into account everything to achieve the goal of NPP operation, i.e. safe power generation. Secondly, a huge amount of data is collected and analyzed during functional analysis to solve all subsequent tasks during design of control algorithms, human-machine interface, procedures etc. Thirdly, functional analysis may contribute to building an adequate control system using a functional approach to control process, i.e. to control of the status of functions instead of control of the status equipment. However, these capabilities are not yet completely implemented during NPP I&C design and functional analysis itself is not clearly and formally described, so an actual benefit of functional analysis is often disproportionate to an effort and time spent to perform it. As of today, some experience in implementation of functional analysis during I&C design has been already accumulated in the Russian NPP projects. The first experience was obtained in design of Tianwan NPP in cooperation with Siemens [1]. The subsequent projects contributed to development and improvement of functional analysis methodology according to which the power generation process shall be divided into seven functional domains, namely: Κ – Power and fluid supply, B – Waste treatment and – disposal, ۷ – Heat removal to ultimate heat sink, D – Secondary circuit, – Reactor cooling system, F Turbine-generator unit, G – Balance-of-plant and off-site systems. Then each domain shall be divided into functional sub-domains. For example, Domain E shall be divided into the following sub-domains: E1 – safety systems that provide Level 3a safety functions; E2 – safety related normal operation systems; E3 – reactor cooling system; E4 – safety systems and safety related normal operation systems that provide severe accident management. The functional groups of equipment shall be defined on the next level of functional division. Then each functional group of equipment is considered as an object of ‘functional group control’. For example, the functional sub-domain E4 shall be divided into a passive heat removal system through steam generators, a passive heat removal system from the containment and a molten core catcher [2], each is a functional group control object. Then the functional group control level shall be decomposed to individual control functions. Thus the functional division of NPP process as well as division of the control functions in the Russian projects includes four levels: functional domains, functional sub-domains, functional groups, and control functions. However, the main drawback of this approach and other approaches described in standards and publications is a lack of formalized technique of functional analysis. The above mentioned approach is not able to fully answer the questions such as “Why is the process and control process divided into seven domains?”, “How is the goal of control achieved”, "How to develop a control algorithm?" We consider the potential of functional analysis is huge and is not limited to assignment of control functions to human and automation. Functional analysis is a universal methodology, which is able to support in building of NPP process structure, to define the scope of equipment, to ensure observability and controllability of the process, to develop control algorithms and much more. The paper proposes an approach to combining the functional analysis process and I&C design process into a single I&C functional design process. To achieve this, the main concepts of the functional analysis shall be formalized, structured and illustrated by an example of I&C functional design process implementation in a relatively simple process object. 2 I&C FUNCTIONAL DESIGN METHODOLOGY 2.1 Hierarchy of Functions Hierarchy of functions described in IEC standard is rather simple but weakly structured that prevents from strict formalization of functional analysis procedure. More complex approach to building a hierarchy of functions (i.e. a multi-layered network) is developed by K. Vicente [3] within the methodology called Cognitive Work Analysis. This methodology establishes the structure of complex system study to ensure effective interaction with the user. The NPIC&HMIT 2017, San Francisco, CA, June 11-15, 2017 1059 foundation of CWA was laid by J. Rasmussen [4], who suggested describing the work domain in a form of abstraction hierarchy. Abstraction hierarchy forms the basis for the method of Work Domain Analysis, which serves as a starting point of the CWA methodology. The Abstraction Hierarchy is a derivative of an engineering technique called Functional Decomposition of a system [5]. The hierarchy starts from definition of functional purposes which have to be achieved by the system under consideration. Next level consists of abstract functions providing accomplishment of the purposes and describing the causal relationships underlying the work domain. Usually abstract functions are described in terms of the laws of physics, such as mass and energy transformation. At the third level an analyst should identify device-independent generalized functions explaining how the abstract functions can be accomplished. Then, at the fourth level, physical functions (in other words, process mediums (e.g., gas, steam, water), equipment (tank, heat exchanger, etc.) and its capabilities) providing fulfillment of generalized functions should be identified. The Bottom, lowest level of the hierarchy represents description of physical form of that equipment in terms of size, shape, color, location and conditions. Various authors use several types of abstraction hierarchy. T. Xiao et al. [6] suggested describing a system at the following five levels: 1) domain purposes, 2) domain priorities, 3) domain functions, 4) physical functions, 5) physical object and configurations. Similar structure is described by G. Lintern in [7] where the following levels of